The SMZ is a mandated protection zone around a stream, lake or other water body that must be protected because of its special importance. The function of an SMZ is to protect water quality along streams, lakes, and other water bodies and to provide for cold, clear, connected and complex native fish habitat. The riparian area "green zone" around streams, lakes, reservoirs, springs and seeps represents that area that stays green long into the summer months. Riparian areas usually have wet soils, high water tables, and can be identified by the presence of water loving plants such as alder, willow, cottonwood, cedar and spruce. Recognizing these areas and knowing where they are in the forest will make protecting water quality with an SMZ much easier.

This years SMZ workshops will be held in various locations through the dates of May 8 - May 16.

More information is available in these publications. Please contact:

MSU Extension Forestry 
UM School of forestry
32 Campus Drive

For information about SMZ's and their application, contact:

Montana Logging Association
 P.O. Box 1716 
Kalispell    MT 59903

or email your questions regarding SMZ's to Patrick Heffernan by clicking on the email button.